By Jonathon Gilbert
Now in its third year, The Invite, put on by the Grand Rapids Storm organization has evolved into a premiere early season showcase. Following is an overview of the field and players to watch if you are heading out to Van Noord Arena (pictured above) on Saturday. Full schedule below
A New Region takes on a New look
A factor setting apart the Invite from the other area showcases is its truly local flair. It has been a Grand Rapids vs Grand Rapids battle. In year three the Lakeshore is going to attempt to make some noise. Enter the Grand Haven Buccaneers. A team loaded with good guards— led by a pretty good one is his own right.
Head Coach Greg Immink is a former Hope point guard who might cringe his way through his surroundings on Saturday. His squad is 1-1 on the year with a victory Traverse City West and a close loss to Dearborn. The Buccaneers feature a plethora of guards with varying levels of experience. The old hands are 6-1 seniors Will Korenstra and Kaden Strong. Korenstra, rated as two start national recruit by 247 Sports has committed the Grand Valley St on the gridiron. The athleticism translates well to hardwood. This isn’t some weight room warrior looking to stay in shape for future Saturdays. Korenstra is smooth, explosive and skilled. Strong lives up to his surname as a powerfully built two guard. The Grace Christian (MI) commitment is a good shooter with the physicality to score around the basket.
That’s the present— the future is bright as well on the shores of Lake Michigan. Junior Will Plummer is a top notch shooter who has played well for Hardwood Midwest on the Prep Hoops Circuit. While sophomore Harper Huntington is an explosive lefty who played with the host Grand Rapids Storm’s top 2027 team throughout the Midwest. The programs lucky numbers must #6 and #1. As all four prospects top out at 6-1. Korenstra and Strong both scored in double figures in their opening victory.
However they might have drawn the short straw in taking on defending Division II finalist Grand Rapids Christian. How healthy is the Eagles program? How about graduating five starters to the next level (two Division I) and seemingly just reloading. They will once again feature explosive point guard play. This year from last years sixth man 5-11 senior Tyler Davis. Ditto for dynamic wing scoring. That will come from grassroots standout 6-3 junior Carl Thompson. A versatile inside/out threat? Enter 6-7 junior Connor Johnson from last year’s JV squad. Early on, this “new look” Eagles squad looks much like— last years squad.
This should be a competitive way to kick off an action packed slate.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and something Blue
In this holiday season the old writer in me couldn’t resist this old Victorian literary phrase. Both teams in this game wear a hue of blue. To put it mildly there is slight discrepancy as far as experience on the bench.
Chris Pearl is the new 27 year old head coach at Grand Rapids Catholic. Charged with taking over after TJ Meerman’s stellar 11 year run. His youth is matched by the relative youth of his rotation. Cam juniors Jordan McCoy, Breiland Watkins, and Zay Larthridge maintain the Cougars state championship standard? McCoy is a quick point guard with good size for the position. Watkins is thick and versatile prospect who can score in a variety of ways. Larthridge is one the top shooters in the event on a 6-5 frame. Senior leadership will come in the form of 6-6 post Jack Bowen.
This is an ageism free space. I’m not going to cast any aspersions on somebody else’s age. However Hudsonville Unity Christian head coach Scott Soodsma won a state championship in 1987. I was… SIX at the time. I have children that legally drive motor vehicles. I won’t speak for anybody else. But I sure feel old.
That being said, it is not reflected at all in Soodsma’s coaching style. He has energetically built one of the more consistent and resilient programs in West Michigan. This resiliency was tested early last year with a pair of simply terrifying injuries. The Crusader’s withstood it and put together a strong regular season. The should have a twin tower look in the 6-7 duo of senior Jake Chapman and junior Owen VanderWaal. The backcourt should be fronted by juniors Kyler Berghuis and Brogan Sherd.
I use the the word “should” intentionally above. The depth of this program has made me look silly before in previews. Someone unmentioned will probably lead them on the court. This is an 8-10 man Unity rotation where everyone can hurt you. This “holy war” should ramp up the intensity as the event moves into prime time.
A MAC Attack
At six o’clock the stars are going to start coming out. Carson Vis (Western Michigan) and Camden Karel (Bowling Green) are going to have the next four years to battle each other at the next level. Saturday will be their only chance to do it the regular season. With their positional difference they won’t match up often directly. Accordingly that is where this big time matchup will be won.
For Byron Center, can their emerging backcourt slow down Vis defensively. The uber athletic 6-2 senior Isaac Lee will probably draw that assignment. The football standout definitely has the athleticism to do it. Offensive support will come from the dual point guard attack of Keane Hinkle and Cassius Bont. Hinkle is small but a highly competitive and skilled point guard. He is a good shooter and runs the offense well. Bont is the bigger prospect of the two. The junior has a tight handle and doesn’t back down from anyone. Accordingly he will probably draw some Vis reps as well
About those reps…. What can I write about Carson Vis that I haven’t already? Simply put, there just aren’t many holes in the 6-4 guard’s game. He is virtually ambidextrous. He is just as potent at the rim as he is from beyond the arc. He is also a stone cold competitor with a clutch gene. One of the better two sport performers West Michigan has seen in quite some time.
However, he is not a post player. Can South Christian counter the matchup problems 6-9 Byron Center post Camden Karel presents? Just like Byron Center has as the athletes to throw at Vis. The Sailors certainly have the size necessary to bother Karel. A frontline of seniors Davis Kemper (6-7) and Isaac Schrotenboer (6-6) is size most teams would covet. Is the foot speed there to counter Karel’s versatility? If they push Karel off the block do they have the length and vertical explosion to bother his outstanding touch in mid range? What if Karel stretches out beyond the arc? I mentioned the Bulldogs cadre of guards. High pick and roll efficiency and defensive coverages could decide this game.
Both teams entered the season with high expectations. They both already have a loss. They will want to avoid getting a second one on the big stage. This will be a good one.
The Main Event
Cue Michael Buffer…. And let’s get ready to rumble! Two heavyweight Division I state championship contenders. From adjoining public school district on the North side of Grand Rapids. They haven’t met since the Rockford eliminated Northview in districts two seasons ago.
I’m going to eschew the traditional questions and matchups from the previews above. Let’s keep it simple. A shot clock is going to be utilized in this showcase. This is hopefully just going to be next level college players just balling out. Challenge whoever is on you and score. Let’s get to those players.
In this red corner for Northview….
Brady Swartz- Everything I wrote about Carson Vis above. Just copy and paste here. That’s why they are both heading down 131 to play for Western Michigan. He bloomed a little later physically and is more of a natural scorer. Missed the end of last year with an injury. Looks to be lined up for a huge senior season.
Cameron Ryans- Arguably the top player in Michigan’s 2026 class. Despite this I seemingly get a lot of skeptical questions about his game as I travel through the Midwest. How big is going to be? What is his position? Can he really be a big time scorer on the EYBL? Do you know how he answers each one? Buckets, buckets, and even more buckets for the last one. One of the leading scorers in the 16U division at the Peach Jam last year,
If you must have a traditional game question for Northview. Is 6-1 sophomore Anthony Willis ready to take the reins at the point guard position for the Wildcats? Undoubtedly he will be by the end of the year. Will he be ready Saturday night?
In the orange corner for Rockford….
Jake Bascom– Similar to Cameron Ryans above. A junior who might not have the prototypical size you like to see at the four. But just gets buckets and stuffs a box score. Has lengthy frame that helps him play taller than his listed height. Should be a matchup nightmare on the block.
Dylan Gross– The junior guards isn’t very big. Accordingly seems to get lost in the shuffle at times. That being said, statistically this was the top three shooter in the entire state last year (53%) As team Rockford was second best overall at 39%. Northview doesn’t have a lot of size. If they have to double the post, Gross and company should get plenty of open looks.
Rockford’s question— are the kids ready for the bright lights. How much will freshmen phenoms Eli Wolfe and Josh Bascom contribute? From the prestigious Run N Slam tournament. To elite on campus prospect camps, and even the Under Armour National Championships. They have yet blink. Can they keep that momentum going on Saturday night?
This is going to be fun way to wrap up the night.
